The first of two occasions in league history where Melbourne would fail to score in the final term and still win came without a number of important players. McGinis, Langley, Bowe, Boully, McLean and Lewis were all absent, replaced by the returning Sholl, Tredinnick and Leith who were coming back from injury. The injury crisis continued, with even debutant Wregg being rendered useless after a promising start when he suffered a kick. Treddinick also suffered another injury — this time to his nose- on his return but it was not serious.

Despite their terrible luck the visitors still had the best of the game for the first three quarters and opened up a lead of over four goals. Their best moment was kicking 3.0 to 0.1 in the second term against the wind. Despite failing to score in the last they held on to win, at one point Carlton kicked three goals in a row but Melbourne's defenders did enough to hold on.